I love hot cross buns – that indulgent combination of cinnamon, raisins, spices, and fresh bread… Easter is not the same without them. But they are quite a mission to make, and shops usually only sell them over the Easter period.
Plus, they definitely fall into the category of ‘special occasional treat’ rather than ‘go all-out and include everyday’. Typically hot cross buns are made from base ingredients like refined flour and sugar, not the healthiest types of carbohydrates…
Oats, on the other hand, is a super nutritious whole food source of carbs – high in soluble fiber and loads of other nutrients. Eating oats regularly has many health benefits – it can help to lower cholesterol levels, stabilize blood sugar levels, feed the good bacteria in your gut, and so much more. Plus, the soluble fiber in oats really helps to keep you fuller for longer.
Oats is also so versatile, there are literally hundreds of different delicious ways that you can enjoy it.
Welcome to the marriage of a hot cross bun with a bowl of oats, a recipe so nutritious that you can enjoy every day if you please!
Hot cross bun oats
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup rolled oats (e.g. Jungle oats) oat bran works very well too
- pinch of salt
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- pinch of ground cloves
- 2 tbsp raisins chopped dates work very well too
- 3/4 tsp vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup boiled water more (up to 1 1/2 cups) if you like a looser porridge and you are not planning to 'mold' your oats into a bun shape
- optional toppings: yoghurt (for making a cross), chopped nuts, fresh or dried fruit Be creative and have fun
- 1/2 cup milk of choice for serving
Instructions
- Place the oats, salt, spices, raisins, vanilla essence and boiled water into a bowl and combine.
- Soak overnight (the raisins will release all of their sweetness into the oats) or take a short cut and microwave for 1 minute on high. Both methods work.
- If you want to be fancy, mold your oats into a bun shape by placing the mix into a small cup or bowl, and then flipping it over onto a clean bowl. For this to work, your oats will need to be quite stiff. If it's not stiff enough, add an extra Tbsp of raw oats to the mix and then try again.
- Decorate your hot cross bun oats! You can make a cross with plain yoghurt (use a piping bag), then optionally add fruit and nuts to the 4 corners. Serve with your milk of choice.